She had thought this moment through several times in her head,
though this wasn't quite what she had imagined... they were outside,
it was getting dark, and it was cold.. but it was what it was, and
she still wanted the moment to be something special..
She couldn't play the drums for him, that would make to much
noise.. this was meant to be only for him and she wasn't looking to
attract a crowd... nor did she think that drums were a particularly
romantic instrument either..
She couldn't really play the
guitar, and it would probably have been to cliched anyway, so she
went with the second best thing that she could master and began to
serenade him playing a sweet christmas tune for him on the bass...
The Bushweeds - Christmas Magic With You (AI music)
Twinkling lights, all aglow,
Snowflakes dance, as feelings flow,
Gather 'round, the fire's warm,
In this love, we'll weather any storm.
Sippin' cocoa, laughter fills the air,
Family close, I can feel your care,
Every moment, wrapped in cheer,
Together we’ll make memories so dear.
Oh, it’s Christmas magic with you,
Every heart sings, so pure and true,
Through the joy and the love we share,
In this moment, there's warmth everywhere.
Beneath the mistletoe, I see your smile,
In your embrace, let’s linger a while,
Wrapping presents, your hands in mine,
With each heartbeat, our souls intertwine.
Singing carols, the melodies sweet,
With the family gathered, life feels complete,
Glowing candles, brightening the night,
In this love, I’ve found my light.
As the stars shine down from above,
I’m forever wrapped in your love,
With every hug and every kiss,
In this season, it’s you I won’t miss.
Oh, it’s Christmas magic with you,
Every heart sings, so pure and true,
Through the joy and the love we share,
In this moment, there's warmth everywhere.
So let’s cherish this time, it’s a treasure,
In your arms, I’ll find my forever,
With laughter and joy, we’ll carry through,
Oh, darling, it’s Christmas magic with you.
Bhavan was instantly
charmed, but suspected something was up. He was used to her showing
off her musical skills any chance she got, in particular on the
drums, but this was different... this was the first time he heard her
actually sing while playing.. and it was the most beautiful voice,
atleast for him, atleast right now.. he would never have had the
bravery to do what she just did....
She took a deep breath before walking up to him. She had to do it now. "Bhavan...."
"Hold on..."
She knew they both wanted
it, or she was pretty sure they both wanted it, as they had been
talking about it since october, along with moving in together.. well,
that, and she was pregnant with his child... yet, she was still
nervous.. not because she didn't think he would say no, but.. it was
just such a big... this wasn't excactly your ordinary, everyday
question..
Of course, she could have just asked for real while
they were casually eating breakfast together.... not jokingly, but
actually asking in all seriousness.. however, that wouldn't be.. that
would be to.. ordinary.. for such a big question.. She had to make it
something special... she was sure he was going to say yes, but she
was still afraid that she had just messed it all up....
"No... no you're not..." Bhavan said as what he had just had suspected was about to happen, well, actually happened.. Why was he reacting with such disbelief? Why was he saying "no"!? Hadn't they talked about this? Wasn't this their plan? To get married, move in together and have kids!? Get a grip, Bhavan, you can't say "no" to this woman!
"Bhavan...." she
continued, now reaching for the ring she had kept in her pocket. Then
for a split second she stopped to think... not because of what Bhavan
said, not because she didn't want to see rings on their fingers, but,
of all things, the thought that went through her head was "What
would dad say?"
A woman wasn't supposed to be the one
proposing – that was a mans job! He was the one who
should've done the serenading – this brave, strong fire fighter,
ready to risk his life on a daily basis – but not having the guts
to serenade a woman! Bah! She could hear him ranting and knocking his
cane on the wooden floor "Back in my day..... and yadda yadda
yadda..."
"Oh, just shut the hell up old man" she thought to herself, before extending her arms to hold up the box, getting ready to reveal the rings and ask the question...
"No... please stop..!" Bhavan said, thinking this couldn't be happening. He was going to.. he loved her for what she did, for what she was doing right now, yet somehow.. was this the way it was meant to happen? He wanted it, he knew what was coming, and he wanted to say yes, to shout yes, as loud as he could, if she could just get to the point! Yet, at the same time.. this was just.. this was actually not how he had pictured it.. there was no doubt in his mind that his parents had a deep and profound love for each other, their marriage was more one of convenience in order to gain citizenship, and from what he've been told every arrangement surrounding it was, well, minimal and practical, and there just wasn't this... this grandiose display of emotion that he now saw before him..
He wasn't nervous because he
didn't want to get married, he was nervous because what just
happened, what was happening right now, it was just to overwhelming.
Getting nearly killed in a house fire, he could handle, but this..
this he could not...
"Bhavan..." she said, her voice
cutting through the smoke in his. It was happening, and he could do
nothing to stop it.
"....will you marry me?"
"Oh my sweet Watcher up above...." wasn't what he wanted to say, but it was what came out of him...
"....YES! Yes! I do!"
This, for whatever reason, was the most terrible, yet amazing
thing! It wasn't what he expected, it was awful, it was
perfect! She couldn't have done it better, she couldn't have done it
worse, she did it just right! He had a heart, there was no doubt
about it, it was just much to big right now, he was afraid he was
going to die, he had never felt more alive!
"Oh, put it on! Put it
on!" Now all of a sudden he couldn't wait. Now the moment was
over, and it was all bliss.
This was definately magic!
He didn't care about diamonds, karats and gold, but this without a
doubt the shiniest thing he had ever seen! And it was put on his
finger by his girflrie.. no, his fiancé! What a lovely word! So this
is what dying feels like! Now he knew, the bright shining light
wasn't anything to fear at all, he could float into it any time... He
was definately the bravest, strongest man in the universe...
His love, his favourite sweetheart! What has she done!? What did she just do!? She had asked him to marry, and he had said yes. It was real now..
--------------------------------------------
Meanwhile inside almost
everyone else had gathered inside Noahs bedroom upstairs to watch
this woman play horribly on what sounds like an out of tune guitar...
Her name is Irene and she is a friend of the household, but not much
more is known about her. Even if she is pretty terrible at guitar,
everyone is, well, mostly, supportive.. because who knows, she could
be a star in the making...
Downstairs Beate thought
they should head back inside to join the others, before anyone
started to wonder where they've gone.. it wasn't her idea to sneak
out to do the proposing outside, but considering how nerve wrecking
it actually was, maybe it was better that way anyway... she certainly
wouldn't have done that serenade in front of everybodys eyes! That
would have been so.. corny..and maybe it was anyway, but
nevertheless, she meant it with all her heart...
..and for a
brief moment she thought about Tay. He was about the same age as her,
and he should probably find himself a girlfriend.. maybe she should
lend a helping hand there, secretly of course.. there had to be
someone out there that would be a suitable match, even for him.. and
it would probably please her father immensely if he could get married
and move out of the house...
..and now with everyone back inside it was time for one of the highlights of the evening, and that is the unwrapping of all the gifts – atleast for everyone else. Well, almost everyone else...
Some people apparently walked around with a permanent rain cloud above their head... christmas! Bah! Presents! Bah! All these happy, jolly people! Double-bah!! But I guess I have to take part in this nonsense.. for the family.. but I'm not doing it for my own sake! I would much rather have a cozy evening all alone with a book and a crackling fire place! And maybe a cup of hot chocolate, but that's where I draw the line!
The wind-up christmas tree
music box on the table did its best to fill the air with its
rendition of "Silent Night.." as everybody walked around to
look for a seat to watch the gift unwrapping. Beate talked
enthusiastically about someones big muscles.. some listened intently,
some only with one ear and others just looked away...
..and as always for every
christmas eve, the kids get to go first! Tay received a chess table,
which might just be ranked on top on the list of typical christmas
gifts to give.. nonetheless, he cheered with joy for this common
standardized gift...
Next up it was Beates turn,
and someone in the back there was making a comment about money and
spending.. yes, it's a very christmass-y thing, complete with
christmas music, decorations and candy all over the place from
october through december, we all know that, but perhaps don't make
such a comment when people are opening there presents, hmm... ;)
Beate received a guitar,
another common gift to give, but it made collection of muscial
instruments complete and gave her the opportunity to learn how to
play the one instrument she actually couldn't play.. however she
didn't seem all that thrilled about it, even though it was probably
the best gift, err, sorry, the second best gift she could have
received.. the best gift she had already gotten..
..and speaking of which, next up it was Bhavans
turn. He only got a simple table lamp of the cheapest kind, but still
took in stride like the strong, brave fireman that he is..
;)
..and so on and so forth, everyone took their turns to open their gifts, except one of course. Martin finally couldn't take it anymore and quietly snuck away to head down into the basement to sit on the couch there reading a book.
There was no crackling fireplace or hot cocoa, but at the same time there was no annoying wind up christmas music either.. and there was solitude. Quiet and solitude.. sometimes that's all a man needs..
Then finally Noah felt like
he wanted to take part in the fun too.. his mood had been a little up
and down all day, but now the curse of being a teenager was suddenly
lifted from his shoulders, so lets see if the powers that be thinks
he has been a good boy.. he picks up his presents and takes a peak,
but immediately closes it again with a look on his face that is very
reminiscent of his father...
A roll of toilet paper! Christmas sucks! Who gave him that one!? It was probably his father.... 'Someones gonna have to pay for this... later...' he thought while squeezing the roll of toilet paper into his backpacket..
"This isn't funny anymore, I'm going to bed... see you tomorrow..."
That was the last of the
gifts and most people were pretty tired by now as it was already
really late at night, and the hostess was on her way to bed too.. a
clear sign that the party is probably over, and though most people
now had started to talk about leaving, they weren't ready to do it
just yet..
Bhavan was just about to
walk over to give his fiancé one last hug before retreating to his
own house when he stopped to clap and cheer as some strange music was
heard that most certainly didn't come from the wind-up christmas tree
on the table.. what was going on?
Of course, that was it. She had been pregnant since October, just hadn't told anyone (including Bhavan – atleast not that I have seen), but now there was no hiding it as she was in her second trimester and it was time to wear somehing a little more comfortable..
Ah, the smell of fresh clean clothes. Never before had Beate been this attractive now that he was certain she carried a little growing mini version of both of them in her belly. They would both have loved for him to spend the night over at her place, but sadly her tiny childhood bedroom with space for only a single bed does not allow for it..
..which is probably all the
more reason for her to move out of there. There's really no need to
wait and it's a little strange they just haven't done it already...
;) But for now its goodbye and good night...
Beate still has to walk outside to recycle a newspaper and catch a last glimpse of Bhavans car as he drives off...
..and to pick up her bass
that she left outside earlier. Its probably not good for it to stand
outside all night.. someone might steal it, you never
know..
--
In the basement Martin didn't get to much of the solitude or quiet that he wanted, as he was joined by a fellow bookworm and a tv-slave, as well as one aspiring architect practicing drawing house blueprints in the back.. so much for that!
Since Martin hadn't finished
his book yet, his spot in the bed next to his wife was still
available, and Beate then did excactly the same thing as she did the
night before.. to go to sleep alongside her mom. She's choosing a
different and comfy type of sleepwear, but her good old bunny
slippers are still there. ;)
Martin is not very happy
about this, once he finishes his book to go to bed. When he has no
reason to sleep on the couch, because he knows that Noah is sleeping
safe and sound in his room (he peaked through the door on the way
just to make sure), he would of course prefer to sleep in his own
bed, but alas..
..there is no choice for the
old man then to use his daughters bed instead, since she is so
insistant on using his (another reason why she should probably move
out...). Oh well...
..good night. ;)
Previous | Next